DECA’s scholarship program provides over $200,000 in scholarships to high school and college DECA members at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) each year. DECA Inc. administers the program based on guidelines set by the donor. DECA scholarships are strictly merit-based.
DECA members will apply for scholarships through the Student Member Portal. Once in the portal, click "Apply for Scholarships," complete your profile and click “Submit” at the bottom. After submitting your profile, the scholarship applications will populate with any scholarships for which you meet the criteria. Scholarship applications may be saved and finished later, providing that your student profile is submitted. The scholarship program will time out after 20 minutes of non-usage.
The scholarship program is closed for the 2022-2023 academic year. Applications will open in Fall 2023.
The Corporate Scholarship Program consists of scholarships provided by partners that have specific eligibility criteria. Scholarships are awarded based on the specific criteria as well as DECA involvement, leadership ability, community service and academic performance.
Anderson Advisors provides four (4) $5,000 scholarships to DECA members who are high school juniors, seniors or Collegiate DECA members with an interest in finance, accounting, sales or marketing.
Marriott International provides five (5) $2,000 scholarships to DECA members who have an interest in the hospitality and tourism industry.
NRF Foundation–RISE Up provides two (2) $2,500 scholarships to DECA juniors or seniors who have earned (or are earning) a RISE Up credential.
The National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) provides two (2) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who are also members of NTHS.
Otis Spunkmeyer provides three (3) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who work in their school stores and sell Otis Spunkmeyer products.
Publix Super Markets provides five (5) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA or Collegiate DECA members who are associates of Publix.
Walgreens | NRF Foundation provides two (2) $2,500 scholarships to DECA members who have a career interest in retail and are currently employed by a retailer.
Whataburger provides five (5) $1,000 scholarships to DECA members who have an interest in the restaurant and food service industry.
The Harry Applegate Scholarship Program is a scholarship fund that corporate and organization supporters contribute to, but the scholarship is actually in the name of the company or organization. Scholarships are awarded based on DECA involvement, leadership ability, community service and academic performance.
AICPA & CIMA provide two (2) $1,000 scholarships to DECA members who have an interest in accounting/finance.
Central Region DECA awards scholarships to DECA members who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management or marketing and are members of the DECA region. Central Region DECA provides the Brenda Clark Memorial Scholarship (two at $1,000 each), Pat DiPlacido Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), Bob Foehlinger Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), and the Central Region Vice President Scholarship ($1,000).
DECA Inc. provides five (5) $5,000 scholarships to DECA members (high school or collegiate) who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management or marketing. DECA Inc. also provides a $1,000 scholarship to each DECA Inc. executive officer at the high school and collegiate divisions.
Hilton provides five (5) $1,000 scholarships to DECA members who have an interest in hospitality.
National Geographic Learning/Cengage provides two (2) $1,000 scholarships to DECA members who participate in DECA’s school-based enterprise (SBE) program.
North Atlantic Region DECA awards one (1) $1,000 scholarship to the North Atlantic Region Vice President, who intends to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management or marketing and are members of the DECA region.
Southern Region DECA awards scholarships to DECA members who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management or marketing and are members of the DECA region. Southern Region DECA provides the Sonya Dismuke Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), Ed Fleming Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), Lynore Levenhagen Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), and the Southern Region Vice President Scholarship ($1,000).
Western Region DECA awards scholarships to DECA members who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management or marketing and are members of the DECA region. Western Region DECA provides four (4) $1,000 scholarships, and the Western Region Vice President Scholarship ($1,500).